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Escalon council asks staff to draft ordinance to require council review before adding fluoride or other additives to drinking water
Summary
Council directed staff to work on an ordinance—tentatively called a 'Public Water Supply Additive Ordinance'—that would prohibit adding fluoride in city's own treatment and require public hearings before purchasing treated supplies with additives; staff said SSJID does not currently treat with fluoride.
Council discussed whether the city should formally bar fluoride or other additives from its domestic water system and asked staff to draft an ordinance to require council review before any future addition of fluoride or other non‑essential additives.
During discussion, a council member summarized health concerns and said fluoride has been linked in some reports to cognitive and other health effects; another council member and staff cautioned that certain treatment chemicals such as chlorine are necessary for safe water and that the ordinance should be narrowly tailored to avoid unintended public‑health consequences. The City Manager said he had asked SSJID whether they currently treat with fluoride and that SSJID does not treat with fluoride and does not intend to at this time.
One councilmember proposed an ordinance with two parts: (1) a ban on adding fluoride for the city's own treatment and (2) a requirement that any future purchase of supply from an outside purveyor that uses additives would trigger a public hearing so council could deliberate. The proposed ordinance was described as a living document to be reviewed and updated as water‑treatment standards evolve.
A motion to direct staff to prepare such an ordinance passed on a voice vote; staff will return with draft language and recommendations on monitoring and review procedures.
